I CONFESS I HAVE A FEW MISGIVINGS ABOUT THE D
Are any of you guys also a little concerned about buying the D? I mean I understand the benefits - an insane mode, super fast, impress the friends etc... I get that... In fact 'I GOT' that...
BUT those benefits are surely short term - I mean we aint gunna burn off every red light in insane mode! Now those short term pleasures come at a significant reduction in range due to the extra weight. You realise when Elon Musk talks about the increased range and efficiencies with two motors, he is not referring to the P85D but the other duel drive 85D - the one without the Insane mode - it has the smaller engine in the back. Whereas we got the huge heavy engine in the back as well as the extra weight in the front.
SO - we have increased energy expenditure just to haul our ass (ok, electricity cost may be negligible, especially compared with petrol prices), BUT, and this really gets me, even when we drive around on a day to day basis in SPORTY mode, we will always have the reduced range due to the extra weight. And when we do go driving to the Hunter Valley, or ACT, or on other longer journeys, that can be a little frightening...and was it worth it? Not to mention the extra upfront cost...
Now I try to justify/rationalise it this way. If you need a 1 amp from a transformer, it is better to have a 5 amp transformer purring out 1 amp, than a 1 amp transformer slogging its guts out day in day out. Similarly, when you cruise around in SPORTY mode, it is better to have the huge D engines purring away - than to have the smaller engines slogging their guts out all the time. But deep down inside, I know that that argument is bullsh*t. Even the smaller motors are supposed to last as long as the car - and since we get reduced range, then by definition, we get reduced efficiency - day in, day out...
So what do you guys think? I am not suggesting that this argument is enough to change one's mind. I would buy the P85D all over again (though I am not sure I would once the thrill of the fast accel eventually wears off). Anyone else with mixed feelings though?